Operatic Divas and Naked Irishmen: An Innkeeper’s Tale

In 1994, at the age of 64 with no business experience and very little start-up money, the author buys a turn-of-the-century mansion in Louisville Kentucky on a whim and turns it into a charming Victorian Inn. As Her life begins to change, she discovers that the new neighborhood she will call home is not only filled with beautiful 19th-century architecture, but also comes with an assortment of curious residents—quirky locals, and unsavory characters—who soon expose the underbelly of a neighborhood in transition.

When she opens a bed and breakfast and invites strangers into her own home, things begin to get interesting, and a little dicey. As Ms. Hinchliff masters the art of innkeeping, she also learns about the intricacies of human nature. She begins to write down her recollections and favorite recipes, which eventually take the form of a debut memoir: Operatic Divas and Naked Irishmen: an innkeeper’s tale, an all-around amusing and inspiring read that gives the reader a look into what it is like to be a strong, independent woman facing life’s challenges one guest at a time.

Along with interesting historical information about Old Louisville and delicious recipes related to each chapter, this book offers an honest, behind the scenes look at an often glorified business. It’s an engaging and uplifting story of how a retired educator re-invents herself from school teacher to successful innkeeper, as she wields her way around cantankerous contractors, harrowing housekeepers, and no shortage of strange and unusual guests and events. Ms. Hinchliff gives readers a personal, in-depth, and honest look at what it’s like to be an innkeeper and still keep your sense of humor as she candidly describes her challenging twenty-year journey.